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Ian Chappell has tipped India’s batters to repel the threat of Adam Zampa in the World Cup final and underlined the need for Glenn Maxwell to prove effective with the ball if Australia’s chief spinner fails to impose himself.
Zampa will take to Sunday’s decider as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament in India, having claimed 22 scalps at the average of 21.40 and the economy of 5.47, including best figures of 4-8 against the Dutch.
In support of Zampa’s leggies, Maxwell has performed admirably with his part-time offies, leaking only 4.72 runs an over.
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Zampa went wicketless in Australia’s semi-final win against South Africa and bled 55 runs from seven overs, but Maxwell conceded just 3.50 runs an over and got through all 10 overs for skipper Pat Cummins.
Major questions were asked of the call to pick Zampa as Australia’s only specialist spinner for the 50-over tournament in India, but the selectors have been vindicated en route to the final, to be played at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
“The Indians play spin pretty well and I think if they play sensibly they’ll probably handle Zampa pretty well, which means that Maxwell’s going to have to bowl really well,” Chappell said on Wide World of Sports’ Outside the Rope.
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“I think Maxwell’s bowling has been very good so far, but he’s got to maintain that level against India. I think if the Indians get on top of Zampa, that’ll mean that Maxwell’s going to have to bowl really well.”
Chappell pointed to Aaron Finch’s observation that Maxwell worked hard on honing his spin at training.
The megastar all-rounder has varied his bowling speed superbly, mixing up well-flighted deliveries with balls that spear in at the batter’s feet or on a good length, some of which cramp the batter on the leg side.
“I think that’s a big part of his bowling, the thought that he’s put into it,” Chappell said.
“So he could be crucial, particularly if the Indians get hold of Zampa; they’re going to really need something from Maxwell down the other end.”
Josh Hazlewood has been the best of the Australian quicks in the tournament, capturing 14 wickets at the average of 27.78 and the economy of 4.67. The metronomic right-hander was phenomenal in Australia’s semi-final win against South Africa, taking 2-12 from eight overs.
Mitchell Starc has hauled in 13 wickets at the average of 36.38 and the economy of 6.14, while Cummins has bagged 13 wickets at 37 and 6.05.
Starc and Hazlewood tormented the Proteas early in Thursday’s semi-final, reducing them to 4-24 in the opening 12 overs. Their lethal work set up a three-wicket win with 16 balls remaining.
“Australia’s strength is their pace bowling,” Chappell said.
“So if you get the best out of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, that’s a very good start. If you get good bowling out of Zampa, that’ll be a bonus.”
Chappell offered a theory for why Zampa was successful in short-form cricket but not longer forms of the game, costing himself a chance to don the baggy green.
“He’s been a good short-form bowler because batsmen are getting after him,” Chappell said.
“I think he’s a better bowler when batsmen are getting after him than he is in the longer forms of the game.
“I mean, if you have a look at his first-class average it’s not that great — in fact it’s pretty poor.”
Zampa was a key man in Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph in the UAE in 2021 and is now chasing maiden 50-over World Cup glory.
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